Letters: Aug. 7, 2006

Time to Hang Up the Spurs?

As the Bush Administration works to mend fences with old allies and meet mounting challenges, it is retiring its role as the lone cowboy riding out to remake the world. Readers formed opposing camps over the transition, either praising pre-emption or breathing a sigh of relief at seeing it laid to rest

Those in the White House have apparently realized that going it alone is not a feasible strategy in international relations [July 17]. But anyone who has matured past childhood knows of the need to cooperate with others to do anything constructive. Bullies may win for a while, but they never succeed in the end--and their end is always ignominious. The Bush Administration needs to be held accountable for what it clearly should have known.

TOM EHLINGER

Bloomington, Minn.

Since there have been no terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11, it's obvious that George W. Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" is just what we need. The challenges the President has faced would test the fortitude of any leader, but thankfully he has proved to be more than equal to the task.

MARILYN BRALEY

Houston

It's sad that it took the administration three years to see what was obvious: the Bush Doctrine is a recipe for disaster. The doctrine has stoked the fires of nuclear proliferation. By invading Iraq, which had no WMD, and offering diplomacy and concessions to nations with full or developing nuclear-weapons programs, the U.S. has signaled that potential adversaries should scramble to get nukes as quickly as possible.

ZACH ZISKIN

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

TIME criticized Bush's unilateral foreign policy. But your story demonstrated the utter ineffectiveness of multilateral diplomacy by pointing out that "since joining multilateral talks over Iran and North Korea, the U.S. has failed to persuade Russia and China, who wield veto power in the U.N. Security Council, to agree to specific sanctions against either Tehran or Pyongyang." So far, it would seem, multilateral diplomacy is batting zero.

CAROL JARRARD

Augusta, Ga.

This administration's "Cowboy Diplomacy" might have been more successful if not for terribly flawed decisions and planning (or lack thereof), corruption, the sanction of immoral practices and a recklessness with the lives of our military personnel.

ROBERT BERG

La Luz, N.M.

Using the word cowboy as a term of derision is insulting to most Americans. Cowboys have always been the good guys, no matter what the European press or some folks on the East Coast of the U.S. may think.

BOB OWER

Prescott, Ariz.

While brute reality has forced the U.S. to use diplomacy abroad, the President's swaggering arrogance is still alive and well at home. Bush ignores established law and subverts congressional legislation with signing statements. I half expected to hear him repeat his famous words "Bring 'em on" in response to the recent attempts, however feeble, by Congress and the courts to rein in his power.

GAYLE BELL

Winter Park, Fla.

Missile Madness